A collaborative project designed to provide early intervention against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon (ABC) area has been named a finalist at this year's Police Service of Northern Ireland Problem Solving Awards. The initiative was shortlisted in the 'Partnerships' category, which celebrates ground-breaking joint projects aimed at improving community safety.

The Girls' Empowerment Programme in Lurgan is a partnership between the Police Service, the Education Authority, and the local Community Safety Partnership (PCSP). Developed as a trauma-informed response, the project specifically targets girls aged 12 to 14 in an area that has historically experienced high levels of social deprivation and low levels of trust in authority.

Delivered through local youth clubs, the programme addresses serious risks including domestic abuse, coercion, and grooming. Participants engage in issue-based learning and facilitated discussions to navigate real-life challenges. Constable Laura Cathcart of the Lurgan Neighbourhood Policing Team, who contributed to the project, said: "The girls participated in educational workshops on topics like healthy relationships, consent, substance misuse, and online safety and were able to skill-build through make-up accreditations and vocational visits to 'People First', a local training organisation which offers a range of courses over a wide variety of subjects. This in turn enabled the girls to build their self-esteem and boost their future aspirations."

The initiative drew on the expertise of several external partners, including Women's Aid, PIPs, Start 360, Invisible Traffick, People First, the EA Youth Service, and the ABC Council PCSP.

Beyond safety education, the programme encouraged social integration by bringing together young women from different backgrounds via the Youth Annex and Taghnevan Youth Club. Following the completion of the programme, assessments indicated a significant improvement in the emotional literacy and confidence of the participants.

A key achievement of the project was the strengthening of the bond between the young women and the police. Many participants reported a marked increase in trust and expressed a greater willingness to seek assistance from officers in the future. By challenging harmful social norms and providing a supportive network, the programme has established a foundation for long-term resilience and empowered participants to pursue their future ambitions with confidence.